August 2, 1918
Watertown, NY
"All-Watertown 6, Havana Red Sox 2 - Win Second Game of Series at Alexandria Bay - Pound McDonald for 13 Hits - Colored Twirler Proves Easy Target for Watertown Hitsmiths - Force Makes Three Singles and a Double in Four times Up and Catches a Good Game - Colored Men Attempt to Switch Batting Order. - Pitcher McDonald, the Havana Red Sox prize twirler, was again humbled by the All-Watertown hitsmiths in a game at Alexandria Bay Thursday evening when the locals drove his slants to all corners of the lot for a total of 13 hits and wond the second of a series of championship games by a 6 to 2 score. The game was called in the seventh inning on account of darkness. Pitcher Tenny on the hill for Watertown twirled gilt edge ball and allowed the colored men but four scattered hits. Tenny really pitched shut out ball for the locals and would have blanked the Havana Red Sox had it not been a fluke in the opening round when Archer's hit to short left went for a home run when the ball was lost in the long grass in that field. With two men down in this round Graham singled and Archer, who followed, shot a hit to short left which should have gone for a single but was lost and both runners crossed the plate. The locals pummeled McDonald's shoots even worse than they did at Garland City Park a week ago Sunday when Watertown won the first game of the series by driving him from the box. Catcher Force, who slashed out a homer with three on a week ago Sunday made a hit every time up Thursday. In four trips to the plate he slashed out three singles and a double, thereby batting 1000 per cent. Force also caught an excellent game and pulled off a pretty play with Thomas that prevented the Red Sox from scoring in the fourth. Forrest singled and got as far as third. He made an attempt to steal home but Fuller fouled the ball. Later Force and Thomas pulled a clever play when Force threw to second in attempt to draw Forrest off third. The plan worked well for Forrest started for home. However, Thomas ran in and took the throw back of pitcher and by a lightning return to Force he retired Forrest at the plate by a wide margin. The large crowd of Alexandria Bay fans, who attended the game cheered Force and Thomas for their clever ruse. The colored team again displayed their unsportsmanlinke manner of playing baseball when they repeatedly attempte to switch their batting order. Both in the sixth and seventh innings they sent their best hitters to bat out of turn in an effort to win but were caught pulling this sort of trickery in both innings. However, in the fifth they did succeed in putting one over in this manner but it availed them nothing. All-Watertown started off in the opening round with two tallies. Hill lead off with a single and went second on Harris's error. Hurlburt singled and Force shot a clean hit to left scoring Hill. Hurlburt attempted to score on the hit and was out at the plate. Force stole second and third and scored when Forrest dropped McDonald's throw to the plate. Another score was added in the fourth. Gurnett singled and Simser was safe on a fielder's choice when Gurnett was forced at second. Simser went third on Craig's hit and home on Hill's single to left. Watertown's final three runs were scored in the seventh. Hurlburt singled and went third on Force's double. Harris let Thomas's drive go by and Hurlburt and Force scored, while Thomas continued on to third. Thomas scored when Archer dropped Gurnett's third strike. Archer threw to Fuller to catch Gurnett but Fuller dropped the ball. The All-Watertown and Havana Red Sox will play their third and final game of the series at Garland City Park Sunday."
August 4, 1918
Watertown, NY
"Final Game of Series Sunday - Havana Red Sox Will Strengthen For Game - Morgan Pitches for Locals - Moose Club Twirler Will Wear All-Watertown Uniform at Garland City Park Sunday - Struck Out 22 Colored Men in Games Here Memorial Day. - The All-Watertown and Havana Red Sox baseball teams will meet in their third and final game of the series for the city championship at Garland City Park Sunday afternoon. Watertown has won two out of the three games already. This will be the last clash between these clubs this season. While the locals have defeated the colored tossers in two out of three games, Pop Watkins says that he will cop the final conflict and it is expected that several fast colored players will be imported here to take part in this tilt. All-Watertown will be fortified to meet any emergency which might arise as they have engaged Pitcher Morgan of the Syracuse Moose baseball club to twirl for them in Sunday's game against the colored team. In games which Morgan has taken part here this season, he has displayed more class than any other twirler. He held All-Watertown to four scattered hits two weeks ago. While he did not twirl against Watertown last Sunday, owing to the fact that he pitched last Saturday, Morgan displayed his value as a great outfielder by pulling down several drives that looked good for hits. Morgan has already established a reputation this year as a terror to colored ball players. In games here Memorial Day against the Havana Red Sox Morgan struck out 22 men."
August 11, 1918
Watertown, NY
"All-Watertown and Red Sox Again - Colored Team's Victory Last Sunday Lengthens Series - Best 3 out of 5 Games - Colored Management Strengthens Teams and Bet on Pop's Best to Win - Doc Morgan, Syracuse Moose Twirler Will Surely Pitch for Watertown Sunday. - Because of the fact that the Havana Red Sox defeated the Watertown team in the game at Garland City Park last Sunday, the locals will again have to play the colored team this coming Sunday in an effort to capture the third game of the series of the best three out of five. There has been some misunderstanding among the management of the two teams over the games. The All-Watertown management understood that the series was to a best two out of three game affair while the colored management insists that the agreement was to play the best three out of five games. A long drawn out argument between the management of the two teams, taking up nearly the entire week, has resulted in several side bets being laid among private individuals on the outcome of Sunday's game. Two supporters of the colored team offered $50 each at even money that the colored team would not only capture Sunday's game but would take the series of the best three out of five games played. Both bets were taken by Watertown supporters, and if there is any more colored money in sight it will be readily gobbled up. All-Watertown won the first two game of the series from the colored tossers and things looked easy for them to caputre the third and final game when they stacked up against the colored men last Sunday. However, Pop Watkins sprung a surprise on the locals when his outfit defeated All-Watertown 9 to 5. While Pitcher Doc Morgan, the Syracuse Moose twirler, who has not lost a game this season, was scheduled to twirl in last Sunday's game his services were cancelled at the last moment as there was a possibility that no game would be played. However, the local fans can rest assured that Morgan will be on the hill for Watertown against the Havana Red Sox Sunday and the All-Watertown management says he will be there to win. Morgan has established the record of striking out 22 men in twelve innings he pitched against the Red Sox Memorial Day. He also defeated and held All-Watertown to three scattered hits here a few weeks ago. It is anticipated that Pop Watkins will spring a surprise on the locals in the way of several new players Sunday. It leaked out last night that three new colored tossers would join the Havana Red Sox today."
September 14, 1919
Watertown, NY
"John Emery Hurls Giants to Victory - Veteran Colored Twirler Pitches Strong Game - Red Sox Defeated 4 to 2 - Only Runs of Vanquished Dusky Team Come in Second When Thompson Poles Out Homer, Scoring Walters, Who Reached First on Wild Peg - Biggest Crowd of Season Witness Unique Sunday Tilt. - The Manhattan Giants of this city gained a 4 to 2 decision over the Havana Red Sox of Gananoque, Ontario, Sunday afternoon at Garland City Park, 'Silent John' Emery, the venerable and crafty twirler of the conquerors, hurling airtight ball, allowing but four scattered hits. The Red Sox scored their only runs in the second when Walters reached first base on an error and tallied with Merriman Thompson, the lanky catcher, who drove the horsehide over the left field fence, the only extra base hit the Red Sox secured. The game which is the first one to be staged in this city between two colored opponents served to draw the largest crowd of fans at the park this season; nearly 1,500 being present. With the Sunday victory the Giants evened up matters with the colored team of the Dominion, the Red Sox having gained the upper hand at Ogdensburg last Tuesday, the first time that the dusky aggregations had clashed for the supremacy of the diamond. - Emery in Good Form. Although given some poor decisions Emery showed the fans that he was not yet all in as a pitcher. The veteran colored player allowed the Red Sox but four hits and struck out nine batsmen. His control was almost perfect. Emery was not generous with his passes and not a Red Sox player reached the initial sack via the free route, with the exception of Ladson, the first man up in the initial inning, who was hit by a pitched ball. But four of the Red Sox were left on bases. With the Sox shut out in their half of the opening frame, the Giants started the counting in the latter part of the inning, scoring one run when Sam Harris, lead off man, banged the sphere nearly to the right field fence for three bases. Brown went out when he tapped an easy roller to Walters, who threw to first. Captain Land waited out the pitcher and received a pass. When White hit to second, Harris darted for home, and beat the ball to the plate. The side was then retired, Griffin hitting into a double play. - Thompson Hits a Homer. - The Red Sox gained the lead in the following inning through the good stick work of their elongated backstop. Culber was an easy out, Emery to Brown. Walters hit a sizzler to Dobbins, who made a good stop, but he threw low, and pulled Brown off the bag and the Red Sox pitcher was declared safe, hammering the first ball pitched for a home run over the fence in the left garden Thompson and Walters scored. After that blow the Red Sox were never dangerous. The next two men were easily retired, Davis being put out, Smith to Brown, while Johnson fanned the air. A couple of infield errors, a hit batsman and a drive by Harris labeled for two bags, gave the Giants a pair or runs, which proved to be the winning tallies. This took place in the last of the second inning. They increased their lead by one more count in the sixth, scoring a run on an infield error, a passed ball and two singles. The Giants were retired by the second Red Sox double play, Walters to Culver. - Havana Reds Make Hard Try. - The Red Sox tried desperately to put a run over the plate in the seventh but were unsuccessful in their attempt. After Thompson had grounded out, Davis hit a single and reached third when the right fielder in relaying the pill to the infield threw over the head of the first sacker. Smith got the ball and in trying to get Davis at the middle bag pulled off a wild peg and the base runner reached the third cushion in safety. Davis looked on with awe when Johnson was put out on an infield play, Emery to Brown. with Hicks at the bat, and two strikes on him, Davis was getting desperate as he was not willing to let his hit go to nought. As Emery slowly wound up the runner darted for the much coveted home plate. Emery threw the ball. Hicks interfered with the play by putting the bat in the way, and he was declared out after much argument. - King Kelly, well known veteran ball player, who came north with Pop Watkins several years ago, made appearance in uniform, coaching the Manhattan Giants from the first base line. - The absence of Jack Leaman, well known umpire, was sadly felt in the game Sunday. The two umpires that were secured after much effort meant all right but they were inexperienced, the umpire on balls and strikes making several bad decisions. - Ford and Scott, star infielders who were secured by the Manhattan Giants a few weeks ago from Washington, have quit the colored team and left for their home in the District of Columbia. The pair of indielders resulted in several victories for the Giants this fall and they will be greatly missed."
June 1, 1918
Watertown, NY
"All-Watertown Will Beat Red Sox - Announcement Made by Local Management - Teams Play Saturday and Sunday - State League Twirler Will Twirl for Watertown Sunday While Teddy Smades Will Twirl Saturday - Several New Players to Strengthen Watertown - Joy a Sensation. - A baseball team capable of defeating the Havana Red Sox will be put on the playing field against the colored aggregation Saturday and Sunday afternoons, according to an announcement made by the management of the All Watertown today. The All-Watertown management says that they have filled the weak spots on their team with new material and have assured local fandom that the colored tossers will be routed in the two weeks end games. Up to the present time Watertown has been weak in the box. Hulbert was unable to work until Thursday, owing to an injured finger. However, the local management announced today that they will assure the local fans a pitcher, who twirled and finished in the New York State League last season. This pitcher was obtained today, but his name has not been divulged. This announcement is no bluff on the part of the local management and the fans can rest assured that he will be in the box Sunday. Teddy Smades, now a member of United States Army is in this city on a furlough and will twirl Saturday's game against the colored tossers. Everyone here knows Smades ability and moreover he is in fine form just now for up to the present he has been pitching for the regimental team of the 107th infantry at Spartansburg. Aside from these valuable pitching additions, Watertown now has Jack Joy, a tower of strength, playing third base. He is the goods and those who saw him play around the hot corner in a game against the Q.M.C. Detachment of Madison Barracks at the fair grounds Thursday, were astonished at his great work. Everyone knows Thomas's ability at short and his hitting powers and with two other new men in the lineup the All-Watertown team invites all local fandom to the ball park Saturday and Sunday to see them clean up for Pop Watkins's colored men."
June 8, 1918
Watertown, NY
"Havana Red Sox Now All Star Club - Manager Kelly Arrives With the Goods - Lands Great Harris Bros. - Sam and 'Wildfire' from Rube Foster's American Giants - L. Archer to Twirl Against All-Watertown at Garland City Saturday and Sunday - Other Colored Stars Arrive. - Michael Kelly; manager of the Havana Red Sox baseball club arrived here Thursday night after a two days trip to Buffalo and other cities in search of colored baseball material, Kelly's trip was well rewarded for he announced upon his arrival that he had an option on 24 of the country's best colored tossers. When he struck town Thursday night he had with him several of the best colored players in the country and he says that if All-Watertown can beat the club he will have at Garland City Park Saturday and Sunday they will be entitled to a big league berth. Kelly brought with him the two Harris brothers, Sam, one of the best colored shortstops in the National game and 'Wildfire' Harris, his brother who is doped as the best third sacker in colored baseball. Wildfire stands six feet three inches tall and is nothing short of a wonder, according to Kelly, who knows baseball from A to Z. Both of the Harris brothers hail from Rube Foster's American Giants. Up to the present time Manager Kelly has not touted the Havana Red Sox, for he has realized that there were few real ball players among the colored men who opened here Memorial day and has lost four games to date. However, he now says he has a real team and local fans can rely on that. L. Archer, the only colored pitcher, who trimmed the Syracuse State League club during their barnstorming trip up this way last fall, arrived here today and will occupy the mound Sunday. It is possible that Archer may also twirl Saturday, as he is a regular iron man. Forest will do the catching, being one of the survivors of the team that came here last week. Jack Fuller, who will play first base for the colored team also arrived todaya nd is said to be a classy first sacker. He comes from Allen University of Columbia, Georgia. Frank Archer, a cousin of Pitcher Archer, is also here to play second bag. He was recommended to Kelly as a great infielder by Connie Lewis, the well known New York State League umpire last season. Dobbins, Walters and Graham, three other survivors of this year's original team have been retained and Walters and Graham will be seen in the outfield, their regular positions. Dobbins, the most likely of this year's original bunch is a fast developing youngster and Manager Kelly looks for him to develop into a wonder. All-Watertown are not asleep to the preparations of the new colored aggregation and say they will appear on the field Saturday and sunday, in suitable shape to bring home the bacon. Hulbert will likely start in Saturday's game against the colored men while Brooks, the local pitching marvel, who shut out the colored men 10 to 0 last Sunday, will again pitch in Sunday's battle."
June 8, 1918
Watertown, NY
"Strengthen Team For Sunday Game - All-Watertown Are Taking No Chances - In Game Against Red Sox - Now First Sacker and Two New Outfielders Will Perfect Formidable Outfit Against New Colored Team - Ahearn Soldier Twirler in Today's Game. - With three new men in the lineup, All-Watertown will present a formidable team against the Havana Red Sox in the Sunday game at Garland City Park. A new first sackers will be seen in Sunday's game and Thomas, the heavy hitter, who played two games with the locals a couple of weeks ago will hold down center field position while Craig, a good outfielder and an exceptionally good hitter will be seen in right garden. With these additions to the locals today and Sunday, the locals are again anticipating two more victories against the colored aggregation, although they realize that they will stack up against a classy ball lub, for it is a well known fact that the blacks will be well fortified in these games. Brooks, who held the colored team to three scattered bingles last Sunday will again occupy the mound against the Red Sox Sunday. Simser will again be seen behind the bat while the always reliable 'Bunny' Van Duzen will hold down the keystone sack. Brouty, Watertown's fast infielder, will be seen at short and Jack Joy, the heavy hitting third sacker will perform about the hot corner. 'Jitney' Hulbert will chase fly balls in left garden and the local management is sure that this outfit can bring home the bacon from the rejuvenated colored outfit. The colored men will present an entire new infield from the pitcher down. Archer, the only colored twirler to defeat the pick of the New York STate league last fall will twirl. The remainder of the new line-up of stars which Mike Kelly, the Red Sox manager got together this week, will be the same as announced in Friday's Times. The All-Watertown and Havana Red Sox are battling for honors in the first game of their second series at Garland City Park this afternoon. Ahearn, Manager Murphy's great Signal Corps twirler, from Madison Barracks, is in action for Watertown agains the colored team this afternoon. Ahearn is the only twirler that has defeated the All-Watertown team this season and they look for him to win for them this afternoon."
July 21, 1918
Watertown, NY
"Locals-Colored Team to Clash - All Watertown and Havana Red Sox Agree On Terms - For Game Here Sunday - Will Meet at Garland City Park on a Winner Take All Basis - Managers Indulge in Stormy Session. - At the conclusion of a stormy session Wednesday night, in which the managers of the All-Watertown and Havana Red Sox baseball teams figured, a game was finally arranged for the two locals teams to clash at Garland City Park Sunday afternoon at 3:15. An agreement was reached whereby the winner of this important struggle will take all of the gate receipts after the war tax of ten per cent has been deducted. Early this week the manager of the Havana Red Sox hurled a challenge at the Watertown management for a game here Sunday. The Red Sox manager said things in a letter to the press which did not set well with the Watertown management and the Watertown manager Wednesday night hurled back an equally as touching missive as was published by the Havana Red Sox manager the night before. Sunday's game is well understood by all local fandom as a championship tilt for the honors of the city of Watertown and north country. Both teams have supporters and each faction will back its team to the limit. The All-Watertown management is confident that the white team can beat the colored aggregation and therefore they have insisted on playing for the entire gate receipts All Watertown bases its claim on the championship thus far by virtue of three victories out of four games played against the Havana Red Sox. They admit that Watkins's aggregation is much stronger than when they first played them but claim that they hae also beated the best that Pop Watkits staged here later this season. Watertown also claims to have a much stronger team than the outfit that played the colored team in the last game played between these teams several weeks ago. The Havana Red Sox management now claims to have a well drilled combination and smile at the chance to play for the entire gate receipts. They claim that All-Watertown will be sidetracked from their path at the conclusion of Sunday's tilt and have many backers who will bet that All-Watertown will lose. At the outset of Wednesday night's meeting the Watertown management are quoted as saying that the colored management, who control Garland City Park, attempted to obtain the Watertown team to play for 35 percent of the gate receipts. This offer was flatly refused and after some hot arguments, terms were settled on a winner take all basis."